To Paint With Shadows | Benedict Bridgerton

Explanation and Analysis

This chapter is a bit of a rogue one, so feel free to ignore it, but I just wanted to explain some of the plot points in this book and why I chose to write what I did. So if you are interested read on...

Obviously, this story took a lot of inspiration from Julia Quinn's 'Offer from a Gentleman.', however I thought I would explain some of my thinking behind events or plots in the story.

The first change being that Sophie is a governess, rather than a maid; I thought this choice was more practical because in the show we rarely see the Bridgertons interact with the staff, so by making Sophie a governess, it automatically opened the door to her being in closer proximity to the family. I also really wanted to form a strong relationship between Sophie and the children, particularly Hyacinth and Elouise, because not only does it make for a fun dynamic to write, it also parallels the importance of family for Benedict (something I don't think the show explores enough); by seeing Sophie form a close bond with his siblings, it further displayed why he had fallen in love with her. Finally, I think it builds greater tension: not only is Benedict worried about how the affair will affect his family, Sophie is as well, because they mean so much to her also.

One of my favourite changes was having Sophie actually pursue a relationship with Benedict. Whilst I think the initial storyline of Sophie standing by her beliefs and refusing to be Benedict's mistress is impactful in its own way, I think having her make that choice carries just as much weight. Whilst a modern audience would most likely have no issue with Benedict and Sophie's love affair, during the regency era, having a sexual relationship before you were married was frowned upon. I have never really seen this type of relationship explored in modern media, and if it is, it is not done with much subtext (I present Benedict's previous storylines as evidence), By having Benedict and Sophie in a consensual love affair, it changes the focus of the story from being about Benedict pursuing Sophie relentlessly, despite her protesting; to a love story initially contrived in lust, but developing into something more monumental. For me the theme and focus  of Sophie's and Benedict's relationship is now respect: both Sophie and Benedict respect each other as people, not just as vessels of desire: as indicated by Benedict when he tells Sophie they are friends first and foremost, a statement that does reign true. Benedict respects Sophie despite her social standing, and never treats her as less than him: he also continually praises her intelligence and qualities of character, something she would not have known all too well before. Furthermore, whilst Benedict is respected in society, because of his name, nobody seems to respect him truly as an individual, and Sophie enters into his life and takes a genuine interest in him as a person.

Initially, William Crozier and Cressida Cowper were to have a larger role in the story, appearing as the other love interests vying for Sophie and Benedict's attention; however I thought the jealousy trope was rather overdone, and I don't think Benedict or Sophie's personalities lend themselves to become overly jealous. Whilst we do see elements of Benedict's jealousy towards William, it is not a major plot in the story because I think his character is too non-confrontational to react in a similar way to his brothers. Whilst Sophie and William's relationship does have some romantic developments, I wanted to allude to the fact that he only really saw Sophie for what she could be and not what she was, hence his obsession with her fortune.

When I planned the story, the argument after the reveal of the painting was to be the final resolution, but when I thought about how Sophie would view that situation, it seemed like a cheap ending, for her just to let it go, even though whether intentional or not there was an element of humiliation to that moment. This scene also brought about one of my favourite lines, which was actually what sparked the idea for this story:

'You have so often expressed your hatred for the corrupt views of good society, and that is not without good reason.' [...] 'But... it is your inability to accept, or perhaps, even to comprehend, just how hopelessly in love with you I find myself, that makes you just as guilty as them.'

Perhaps I give myself too much credit in thinking that is a memorable line, but to me it summarised Sophie's entirely emotional conflict: she had blamed the forbidden nature and downfall of their relationship on the Ton (and not without good reason), but in truth a major factor in why she turned Benedict down was because she didn't feel she was worthy of his life, and the life that it would bring. Also, this chapter is one of the first times we see Benedict confront Sophie and the situation, and considering that Daphne spoke of his hatred for confrontation in Season 2, this development in his character became rather pivotal.

This idea of avoiding confrontation is why Benedict declares his love for Sophie at the ball. I personally hate the prison scene in the original book: that may be an unpopular opinion, but not only did I find it cheesy, it also highlighted that Benedict had not grown as a person at all: in the end Violet is the one that saves the day. That is why I love the final love confession, because Benedict puts everything on the line, and indirectly confronts society by declaring his love for Sophie; he knows there is a chance he may ruin his family and any possibility of him becoming an acclaimed artist, but he doesn't care, because all he needs in that very moment is her. Although this was Benedict's original intention with revealing the portrait of Sophie, at the ball he exposes himself first both literally and metaphorically (hence why he is first to remove his mask), he is also the first to speak, so therefore if Sophie were to leave not having said anything in return, he would be the one now humiliated. Sophie understands this at the time and is why she feels she must confess her feelings too, because Benedict was so willing to take the fall for her.

Another plot in the book I hate, is that Benedict is angry when he finds out Sophie was the Lady in Silver; yes, she lied but he had no reason to know; therefore I don't make a point of it.